Tricycle.



No. 634,!92. Patented Oct. 3, I899.

' S. VAUGHN.

TRIGYGLE.

(Application filed Feb. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.)

. W a @/L.

SINGLETON VAUGHN, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,192, dated October 3, 1899.

Application filed February 21, 1899. Serial No. 706,371. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SINGLETON VAUGHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bakersfield, in the countyof Kern and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tricycles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled'in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention has relation to tricycles and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device of this character by means of which a person while in the act ofrocking may propel the vehicle along.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one end ofthe axle and its contiguous drive-wheel. ,Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of a portion of one of the elliptical springs and its coacting rocker;

In the drawings, 1 denotes the body of the vehicle, which consists of the framework 2, preferably rectangular in shape and supported at its rear end by the drive-wheels 3 and at its forward end by the steering-wheel 4, which is provided with a pivoted tiller or handle 5 and engages a rack-plate 6. This handle is preferably telescopic, and is held in adjusted position by a set-screw 7.

8 denotes elliptical leaf-springs, the ends of which are connected to the forward and rear cross-pieces of the frame of the vehicle wheels are each provided with a collar 3, to which is pivoted the pawls 3 3 the free ends of which engage the notched hub 16 of the axle, so as to permit one wheel to turn faster than the other in turning corners and prevent dragging at such points.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the elliptical spring 8 provided with a depending flange 8, to which is secured the lower end of the coiled spring at, the upper end of which is fixed to the rocker, as shown, the object attained being a reactionary effect on the chair while in motion.

. 17 denotes a seat having rockers 18 that engage the elliptical springs before mentioned and are arranged within the side pieces of the body portion.

19 denotes pawls pivoted to the cross-shaft 11, one above and the other below said shaft and in engagement with the ratchet-wheel.

2O denotes links connected to the free ends of said pawls and to the rocking seat, so that when the rocking seat is rocked forward one of the pawls will engage the ratchet-wheel and rotate it, and when the seat is rocked rearward the other pawl will engage the ratchet-wheel and continue its rotationin the same direction. Thus by the rockingback and forth of the seat the velocipede is propelled along, and in running over rough ground or obstructions the elliptical springs will relieve shock and jar, thereby adding to the comfort of the occupant.

It will of course be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

In a tricycle, the combination with the supporting-wheels, the steering-wheel, and the body portion supportedby said wheels, bowed springs secured at their ends to ledges projecting laterally from the side pieces of. the body portion, said springs being provided with downwardly-extending integral plates,

coil-springs connecting the intermediate portion'of said bowed springs to the rocker, a seat provided with rockers resting upon said bowed springs and inclosed within the side will be rotated and the vehicle propelled, subpieces of the vehicle, a sprocket-Wheel jourstantially as and for the purpose set forth. naled upon a shaft carried by the body por- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set tion and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a my hand in presence of two subscribin wit- 5 sprocket-wheel fixed to the axle of the rear nesses.

drive-wheels, a chain connecting the two T T A sprocket-wheels, pawls engaging said ratchet- SIB GLETOL VAUGHN wheel, and links connecting the pawls with Witnesses: the rocking seat, whereby when the seat is V. M. MITCHEL, IO rocked back and forth the sprocket-wheels M. \V. SOLOMAN. 

